International Community has called for dialogue to reach consensus on a way forward on holding a universal vote as early as March 2021.
In a statement issued in Mogadishu on Monday, Somalia’s international partners have urged the stakeholders to engage in resolving the differences on the elections.
The statement lauded the National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) chairperson Halima Yarey for presenting electoral options to realize direct voting for Somalis.
“Somalia’s international partners followed the address to the House of the People on 27 June by the Chairperson of the National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) in which she presented technical options for holding one-person-one-vote elections as close as possible to the constitutionally mandated timeframe. We thank the Chairperson for her presentation to the House of the People,” the statement reads in part.
They emphasise the continued need for Somalis to engage in inclusive dialogue to forge the widest possible agreement on this important topic, and underscore the importance of a complete and comprehensive dialogue among the FMS and FGS leaders.
The partners also welcomed the announcement by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmajo’ that he will convene a meeting with all Federal Member State leaders from 5 to 8 July.
“We urge that this meeting be the next step in a broad consultation of key stakeholders,” they said.
The international community urged that political agreement be fostered ahead of final decisions.
“We call on all of Somalia’s leaders to work to reach agreement urgently on the path to holding national elections and other pressing national priorities,” the statement stated.
